Siuslaw Model Forest Loop

The Siuslaw Model Forest Loop begins at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Agroforestry Resource Center in Acra, NY, where all visitors must sign in before starting the route. From the trailhead, the Secure and Stable Trail leads toward the nearby ponds, offering an easy stroll with interpretive plaques for tree identification. Beyond the ponds, hikers follow a forest road that climbs gradually along a hillside into the heart of this actively managed model forest. At the end of the road, stay on the main trail as it loops through a former log landing and connects to a skid trail used for sustainable timber harvest. The return via the skid trail involves moderate hiking with uneven footing, steeper grades, and potentially wet conditions—especially during rainy seasons. This educational route showcases working forest management practices and provides a quiet walk through a mixed hardwood landscape.